CH 1: This Place Sucks

[HorizonsDream]

"It has become habit for me to talk down everyone's talents," Echo explains. "But I'll consider your advice." Though, she didn't really think she would have a hard time talking up her own talents. She all ready thought she was better than anyone anyway.

[JadedDM]

When the two reached the temple, Hollidan again opened the door for her. Once inside, he looked around. The place was quite packed with strangers--likely pilgrims, as Echo had never seen so many people at the temple before.

"Ah, there he is," says Hollidan, and he heads toward an old man, bent over with age. He wears a hood hiding his features, save for his long, white beard.

"Pharise, I have someone who wishes to meet you. She is a local, and claims she can be of help on our pilgrimage," the paladin says, bowing deeply to the old man.

To Echo's surprise, the man throws back his hood revealing a somewhat alien face, with green-tinted skin, golden eyes that almost seem to glow a bit, and slightly pointed ears. "Is that so?" he asks nonchalantly. "She doesn't look like she can handle a sword to me."

[HorizonsDream]

Echo seems slightly taken back as she looks over the man, but she quickly recovers. "I'm a mage, Pharise," she says simply. "Magic can be helpful in your situation, if not more so than swords."

[JadedDM]

"Mage? Hmph. The divine power of Gonto can do things sorcerers can't even dream of," the Pharise says. He looks the woman up and down with a calculating eye. "What kind of magic can you do then? And any useful skills other than that?"

[HorizonsDream]

Echo had to resist the urge to roll her eyes. It was clear she wasn't going to like this man, but she was trying to get a job. She HAD to be somewhat pleasant. "Of course," she said. "Besides magic, I speak multiple languages. I know a good deal about Religion in general. I also know of various herbs and plants that could help any of the members of your pilgrimage if they get sick or injured."

[JadedDM]

"Harrumph. So nothing at all useful then? Clerics are quite versed in religion, I assure you, as we are in herbs," the Pharise says, frowning.

"She's also literate," Hollidan offers. He then glances over at her. "Right?" he asks softly.

"Is that so?" the Pharise asks. "I could use another scribe, if that's the case."

[HorizonsDream]

~Oh, joy, working right along side with this holier than thou imbecile,~ Echo thought to herself. "Yes, I am also literate," she added. Of course, she didn't see the reason to point that out simple because she was a mage! One sort of had to be literate to be one of them as it required study!

[JadedDM]

The Pharise seems to consider. "You understand this is a very dangerous journey, yes? Your life will be in danger. If that's the case, then I can hire you as a scribe. Two gold a week, for four weeks. If at the end of that time you wish to renew your contract, we can discuss new terms."

[HorizonsDream]

"Yes, I understand," Echo says. "When do you plan on leaving?" she asks. "And what exactly will my duties be?"

[JadedDM]

"We leave tomorrow morning, first thing," the Pharise says. "We've wasted enough time in this town, I think. As for your duties, you'll be my personal scribe. You'll write down everything that we do for posterity. This whole expedition must be documented for future generations' sakes."

[HorizonsDream]

"I will be here then," Echo says. "And thank you, Pharise." Realizing that the man was probably busy, she excused herself from him, and looked to the Paladin that escorted her. "Thank you."

[JadedDM]

Both men nod to Echo, and then depart, leaving her to herself.

[HorizonsDream]

Echo takes her leave of the temple, and makes her way back home. That went a little better than she thought it would. Plus, if they ran into any danger, she could prove herself during that moment. "Mother?" she calls as she steps inside.

[JadedDM]

"Yes? Hello! Welcome to--," her mother says, stepping in from her room. "Oh, sorry. I thought you were maybe a customer." Brushing her hair out of her eyes, she takes a seat at the table. "You're back soon. How did the job search go?"

[HorizonsDream]

"I found one as a scribe," Echo says. "There is a whole group of pilgrims searching for the shield of Baerin," she explains. "So they are needing guards, and I ended up as a scribe," she says with a scoff. "Anyway, they leave tomorrow morning. I'll be gone about four weeks, but I'm making two gold a week."